Australia’s boxing bad boy Michael Zerafa has suggested talks are already underway for a domestic blockbuster between himself and Tim Tszyu – but says ‘The Soul Taker’ has demanded a warm up fight first.
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The surprise reveal has come on a night where popular Australian fighter Brock Jarvis also called out younger Tszyu sibling Nikita, who is back in the gym training following successful hand surgery, for his own domestic Main Event headliner.
Appearing for the first time in almost two years, and as a middleweight, Jarvis looked strong as he finished Queenslander Adrian Rodriguez in the fourth round of his No Limit on Fox headliner at The Star.
It’s understood No Limit is already looking to hold a blockbuster domestic Pay-Per-View event in March of next year.
“And I want Nikita Tszyu,” Jarvis said immediately after the win.
“I’m not sure what his situation is.
“But that’s the fight I’m gunning for.
“He called me out, that’s the fight I’m after.”
Wonderfully, it was a night where not one, but two Tszyu boys were called out.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia during The Star showcase, Zerafa said he was so confident of No Limit securing the Tszyu showdown in 2025, he recently knocked back a contract offer from heavyweight UK promoter Eddie Hearn.
Instead, the fighter dubbed ‘Pretty Boy’ has inked a two-year deal with the Rose brothers and wants a headliner against Tszyu in an Australian stadium fight.
While Tszyu is coming off consecutive world title fights, a showdown with his arch rival would generate plenty of excitement.
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Yet Zerafa said while discussions were underway, Tszyu was already “running scared” and had asked for a warm up fight before they clash – with whispers the pair could potentially fight on the same card, but against different rivals, next March or April.
The talk of a Tszyu-Zerafa has been building ever since the eldest son of Australian fight great Kostya Tszyu suffered a shock stoppage loss against Russian champ Bakhram Murtazaliev in October.
However, despite the fight being a guaranteed domestic blockbuster, Tszyu says he will never give an opportunity to the man who famously walked out on a planned fight between the pair three years ago.
Tszyu this week said “don’t mention that name” when the suggestion of a Zerafa fight was raised.
Instead, the popular Sydneysider said his team “are talking” with heavyweight US promoters PBC about an opponent to head Down Under in the first quarter of next year.
Undeniably, a fight between the two Australians would provide one of the most hyped builds since the famed rivalry between Anthony Mundine and Danny Green rivalry.
Yet Tszyu, who is set to marry fiancée Alexandra Constantine in Sydney next weekend, said his team were already working closely with heavyweight American promotional team — who have a range of potential contenders at super welterweight.
Zerafa, insisted, however that talks were already underway.
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“Tim Tszyu wants a warm up fight,” he said shortly before joining the commentary for the final No Limit of Fox event for 2024.
“And Tim has said that himself.
“The words that have been relayed back to me are that he wants to go back to basics, wants to get his confidence back up after two losses.
“He’s said ‘I want a warm up fight’, and that’s come from his team.”
Pushed on his thoughts about having to wait one more fight for Tszyu, Zerafa continued: “Tim knows he can’t afford another loss.
“And he fears me.
“Even when I’m in his presence, he gets awkward.
“Get’s prison b***h jumpy.
“Tim is running scared
“Personally, I’d have that fight tonight.
“I’m ready now.
“But he doesn’t want it.
“Tim Tszyu is coming off two losses and I’ll make it three.
“I’ll end his career.
“And that’s why he’s hiding.
“He knows if it’s three losses in a row, everything is over for him.
“He knows that.
“That’s why he’s avoiding me.”
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Quizzed on the No Limit deal, he continued: “It’s taken some time to get here, but I’ve arrived.
“And I’m here for the next two years.
“So the tables have turned.
“For a long time I’ve worn all the heat for something that was completely out of my hands.
“Now it’s all on him.”
Zerafa added that a fight between himself and Tszyu would have to be held inside a venue like Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.
“Has to be,” he said.
“There aren’t many rivalries anymore but this is definitely one.
“I’ve had a rivalry with Issac Hardman, had one with Jeff Horn and now I’ve got one with Tim Tszyu.
“And boxing needs that because there’s no love in the glove.
“So we’ll fight and I’ll get my hand raised.
“Tim will suffer his third loss.
“But afterwards I’ll still go buy him a beer.”
Speaking about the Hearn offer, Zerafa said the UK promoter had tabled a fight with Liam Smith.
“Liam’s a big name and I’m chasing big names,” Zerafa said.
“But around that time, I was also talking with No Limit and they’ve delivered the goods.
“(laughs) So I’m No Limit’s boy too now.
“It’s perfect because I’ve got the opportunity to create my own path.”
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